European Film Market 2022: A Promising Start for Independent Filmmakers and Distributors
The European Film Market (EFM) is officially underway, with sales executives already in town since Monday to meet with European buyers. There is a sense of optimism that this year's market will be the busiest since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Buyers are experiencing more screenings than usual, and enticing sales packages have been unveiled, featuring films like Studiocanal’s "The Custom Of The Country" starring Sydney Sweeney, Upgrade’s "Cupid" with Catherine Zeta Jones, North.Five.Six’s "Blasphemous" starring Karen Gillan, Josh Hutcherson, and Clive Owen, and mk2’s "Fonda" from Justine Triet with Mia Goth and Andrew Scott.
The pre-buy opportunities and the presence of new US buyers like Row K, Warner Bros specialty label, Black Bear, and Aura Entertainment have injected hope into the independent film sector. The industry is eagerly watching these players to bring a sense of urgency to the independent market. Sky’s head of original film Andrew Orr praised the strong packages being offered, highlighting well-written scripts, talented casts, and appropriate budgets for the genre and package.
Janina Vilsmaier, Protagonist Pictures’ SVP, emphasized the speed at which deals are progressing, noting that securing a package with an A-list cast can sometimes be a lengthy process, but things are moving swiftly now. Some buyers are planning to conclude their business in Berlin by the weekend, but Orr believes that the market will continue to thrive in the coming weeks. He mentioned negotiating an AFM deal right up until Christmas, indicating the ongoing nature of the film market negotiations.
In conclusion, the European Film Market is off to a promising start, with a flurry of screenings, attractive sales packages, and the presence of new buyers fueling optimism in the industry. The momentum is building, and industry insiders are hopeful that this year's market will be a vibrant and successful one for independent filmmakers and distributors.